Wayne Palowski, human resources manager, looked at the man beside him.“Smith, Vulcan Smith.” His smile was friendly, his eyes watchful.Wayne smiled back. “That’s right, Vulcan Smith, he’s starting here in accounts payable today, Marduk.”Marduk shook his hand. “That’s an unusual name. Was your mother a Star Trek fan?” And what the hell is going on here? Why in the midst of economic doom and chaos were they employing someone new? Hadn’t they just spent money on a farewell gift for Mandy who left accounts payable last week? Who was this guy? He was hardly the bland and boring type of person who was expected in accounts payable. Why him and why now? Marduk looked at Wayne. He was an amiable twit who just smiled, probably only happy in the knowledge that a new employee had filled out the tax declaration properly. It was pointless asking Wayne questions. The man only understood forms with official numbers on them. People were a foreign concept to him.“Star Trek? No, she wasn’t.”“Family name?”
